Gate-latch



(No Model.)

W. J. REYNOLDS. GATE LATCH Patented Nov. 9, 1897.

m wmrozz Z1 Attorney UNITED STAES a'rnNr error,

WILLIE J. REYNOLDS, OF FALL CREEK DEPOT, VIRGINIA.

GATE-LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,241, dated November 9, 189?.

Application filed August 12, 1896. Serial No. 602,469. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, WILLIE J. REYNOLDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fall Creek Depot, in the county of Pittsylvania and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gate- Latches; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. My invention relates to a new and improved form of gate-latch.

The accompanying drawing shows a perspective view of a gate with my latch applied thereto.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap form of latch which may be readily constructed by any person, even though not a mechanic, and of materials always available; also, to keep the cost of the same low and produce a latch which shall be certain and efficient in its action. I accomplish these results as follows:

In the drawing the gate is represented by A, This, as shown, is constructed of boards like an ordinary farm-gate. Resting upon one of the horizontal boards is the latch B. This consists of a bar of wood which slides at the outward end of the gate, between the vertical parts 0. This latch is provided with a handle B, which may be readily grasped for throwing the latch to open the gate. Fastened to the side of the latch at D is a staple or pin which embraces the end of the spring E. This spring E is a long spring, made of steel either in the form of wire or flat bar and is fixed upon the boards at the top of the gate by means of staples F. This is made of such a weight and length that the latch may be withdrawn sufficiently to free the end thereof from the catch and so that the force exerted by the spring does not largely increase by doing so.

Pivo'ted to the edge of the vertical board 0 upon the end of the gate is a lever 11. The

end of this lever upon one side of the gate is curved downwardly, as at I. The other end carries a weight J to overbalance that end and make the bar H drop upon the latch.

The latch has a notch G in its upper surface, so placed that the lever H will drop in this notch when the latch has been withdrawn sufficiently to free its catch. Upon the side of the latch 13, at B is placed a block which engages with one of the boards 0 to prevent the latch being drawn back too far. This block is so placed that it will engage the board C at the time when the notch G is below the bar H, and thus will insure the engagement of the barwith the notch G.

The bar H, instead of being pivoted on the edge of the board A, may be pivoted in a slot passing through the end boards A, as shown in dotted lines.

Upon the post at the end of the gate is fixed a stop or projection 1, situated in the path of the curved end I of the lever H when the gate is shut. This will throw the bar H out of the notch I G, and the spring E will throw the latch back to engage with its catch.

This will occur only when the gate has been closed;

My gate is operated as follows: By means of the handle B the latch is thrown back, and the bar H automatically catches in the notch G and retains the latch in its inoperative position. When the gate is swung shut, the end of the lever I will engage its stop, and the spring will then throw the latch into engagement with the post.

It will be seen that all the parts of this latch are of such materials and shape that they may be obtained anywhere and made by any person. A few cents worth of materials will suffice for a latch, and the latch is as effective and convenient as a more expensive one.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination with a swinging gate having a longitudinally-movable latch, a projection upon said latch to engage a part of the gate to limit the rearward movement of said latch, a handle upon said latch, a notch in the portion, of 2b gate-post provided with a stop or projection situated in the path of said curved lower end of the lever H.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscrib- 1o ing witnesses.

WILLIE J. REYNOLDS.

Vitnesses:

W. W. WILLIAMSON, O. L. BOOTH. 

